Maldives court orders travel ban on ex-president

Nasheed resigned as president in February after losing the support of the military and police during widespread protests triggered by the secret arrest of a senior judge. He later insisted that he was forced out in a coup, but an inquiry commission concluded he left legally. He was charged in July with illegally ordering the judge's arrest.

Nasheed's Maldivian Democratic Party said the Hulhumale Magistrate Court served him with a notice of criminal proceedings and the travel restriction Tuesday evening.

"This detention is politically motivated, aimed solely at preventing Nasheed from campaigning ahead of next year's elections," the party said.

"The regime fears Nasheed will win an election. So they plan to convict him of something so they can prevent him from standing. They know their grip on power is dependent on removing Nasheed from the political equation," it said in a statement.